The Challenges Behind Our First Livelihood Project: A Real Story from Project PRERNA

At ISCI Foundation, every project begins with a simple question: How can we create lasting change in people's lives? As an NGO in India and a dedicated NGO in Gwalior, we have worked across health, education, and environmental sectors. However, when we decided to launch our first livelihood initiative under Project PRERNA (Promoting Rural Entrepreneurship for Nari Atmanirbharta), we soon realized that creating a sustainable livelihood is very different from planning one on paper.

The goal of Project PRERNA was clear—to empower rural women through entrepreneurship, create local employment opportunities, and establish a women-led wooden cold-pressed oil production unit in Mehgaon. What looked straightforward in project reports and presentations became a journey full of practical challenges, unexpected obstacles, and valuable lessons.

When Planning Meets Reality

Like many development projects, everything looked well planned before implementation. The machinery was ordered, the location was finalized, and the women were eager to begin their entrepreneurial journey. But the real test started when the machines arrived at the village.

The oil mill machines weighed between 350 kg and 700 kg. In an urban area, unloading such machinery would be a routine task. In a remote rural location, it became one of our biggest challenges. We searched for chain pulley systems and lifting equipment, but such facilities were not easily available. After considerable effort, we managed to arrange a small pulling mechanism and somehow unloaded one machine. However, the heavier machine remained a challenge that seemed impossible to overcome.

For hours, our team tried different methods. We searched for a crane but could not find one nearby. At one point, we spotted a JCB machine and felt relieved, only to discover that it was not operational. The situation was frustrating, but giving up was not an option. After numerous calls and local coordination, we finally located another JCB and

successfully unloaded the machine. It was a moment of relief, but it also taught us that rural entrepreneurship is built not only with investment and planning but also with patience, persistence, and problem-solving.

Training Day and the Electricity Challenge

After installation, we moved to the next phase of Project PRERNA—training rural women to operate the machinery. A technical team travelled from Delhi to conduct hands-on training. The women arrived with excitement and enthusiasm. For them, this was not just a training session; it was the first step towards financial independence.

The training started smoothly, but soon another challenge emerged. The oil mill required three-phase electricity, and although the village had electricity for most of the day, three-phase power was unavailable between 11 AM and 6 PM. Ironically, these were the exact hours when most women were free after completing their household responsibilities.

The trainers were present. The women were present. The machines were ready. But the electricity was not.

We explored alternatives, including solar energy. However, we soon realized that an on-grid solar solution would still depend on the electricity supply, making it impractical for the situation. Instead, the team adjusted schedules and worked around the available power supply. While this caused delays, it also demonstrated the determination of everyone involved to make the project successful.

More Than a Livelihood Project

Looking back, these challenges may seem like small operational issues. But for us, they represent the reality of implementing a livelihood initiative by an NGO in rural India. Project PRERNA taught us that entrepreneurship development is not just about providing machines or training. It is about overcoming ground-level barriers that often go unnoticed in reports and presentations.

Today, the women-led oil mill is operational and producing high-quality wooden cold-pressed oils. More importantly, it has become a symbol of confidence, dignity, and self-reliance for rural women. The journey from concept to implementation was not easy, but every obstacle strengthened our belief in the importance of sustainable livelihood programs and rural entrepreneurship.

Why Partnerships Matter

The success of initiatives like Project PRERNA (Promoting Rural Entrepreneurship for Nari Atmanirbharta) highlights the importance of collaboration between CSR & NGO sectors. As an experienced CSR implementation partner, ISCI Foundation understands both the aspirations of communities and the practical realities of implementation.

For organizations looking to invest in meaningful Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, partnering with a capable grassroots organization is essential. As an NGO implementing CSR programs, we believe that sustainable change happens when communities, development organizations, and corporate partners work together toward a common goal.

If your organization is looking to partner with an NGO in India for impactful rural development, women empowerment, or entrepreneurship projects, ISCI Foundation is committed to turning ideas into sustainable outcomes. Through rural initiatives by NGOs like Project PRERNA, we continue to create opportunities that empower women, strengthen communities, and build a more self-reliant future.

Because true entrepreneurship is not created when everything goes according to plan. It is created when people continue moving forward despite the challenges.